Hundreds marched dressed in red colors and the native costumes of Poland, to the monument in Poughkeepsie's Pulaski Park, to celebrate Pulaski Day, in honor of Revolutionary War hero Casimir Pulaski, known as “father of the American cavalry.”
The event takes place on the second Sunday of each October, to remember the immigrant general whose skill and bravery on the battlefield proved decisive for several important battles in the fight for our nation's independence.
“General Casimir Pulaski not only fought for freedom in his native homeland of Poland, but also here in the United States,” observed Poughkeepsie Mayor John Tkazyik. “He fought for freedom and independence.” Pulaski is best known for saving the life of George Washington during the Battle of Brandywine in Sept. 1777, which got him promoted to brigadier general.
Pulaski was killed during the Battle of Savannah in October 1779.
Prior to arriving in North America, Pulaski was a member of Polish nobility who fought alongside the Bar Confederacy, against Russian influence over Polish affairs. He later fled persecution to France, while Poland sentenced him to death in absentia.
Briefly incarcerated in debtor's prison, Pulaski left France for America after being recruited by Benjamin Franklin.
In 2009, President Obama signed a law granting Pulaski honorary U.S. citizenship, making him the seventh person ever to receive that distinction.
